Recent research has indicated that better-educated people are less likely to be diagnosed with dementia and they are better at hiding it for longer.
New research from Exeter and Newcastle universities, funded by the Alzheimer's Society, stated:
“People with more education may be higher performers, making earlier signs of dementia more difficult to detect on standardised tests since they do not reach the threshold required for a dementia diagnosis.
These people are hypothesised to have a higher cognitive reserve, where the brain can cope with increasing damage whilst still functioning adequately. They are more resilient and can maintain brain function for longer than people with low reserve, and dementia is likely to go undetected for longer, manifesting clinically at a later stage.”
The Alzheimer’s Society recently found that 4 in 10 dementia patients said that it took them a long time to be diagnosed with dementia and assumed that their symptoms were caused by old age.
It is so important to make sure you contact your GP should you have any concerns – no matter how small.
I have recently found out that the Alzheimer’s Society undertook a poll of 1,000 dementia patients and found that 26% have been waiting over 2 years for a diagnosis following on from their first experience of symptoms.
If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing symptoms of dementia, it is very important to deal with this early, and also ensure that your affairs are in order.
From my experience, it is so important to make sure that your affairs are in order, as there can be a fine line as to when the documents can be prepared and signed. Once the documents are in order, you and your family can focus on enjoying time together without the worry and stress of the things that can go wrong without having the documents in place.
If anyone else here is a Dementia Friend or is looking to become a Dementia Friend, feel free to get in contact.
Let's look at what we can do to support families and those with dementia.
0207 183 4595
The information provided in this article is not intended to constitute professional advice and you should take full and comprehensive legal, accountancy or financial advice as appropriate on your individual circumstances by a fully qualified Solicitor, Accountant or Financial Advisor/Mortgage Broker before you embark on any course of action.
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